Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Monday convicted and sentenced one Clinton Onye, to five years imprisonment for illegal dealing in petroleum products.
Onye was jailed following his arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on two count charges bordering on conspiracy to deal in petroleum products, contrary to Section 17(1)(a) of the Miscellaneous Offence Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and punishable there under.
One of the charges read: “That you, Clinton Onye, and one Okoro, (surname unknown and currently at large), on 19th day of November, 2019, at Eleme Alimini Road, Rivers State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without lawful authority or license to deal in petroleum products, had in your possession, 875 liters of AGO in a Sky-blue Volvo 240 Car, with registration number: Lagos BF573 EKY and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 17(1)(a) of the Miscellaneous Offence Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable thereunder.”
He pleaded “guilty” to the charges when they were read to him.
Base on his plea, the Prosecuting Counsel, S.M.H Ibekwute, prayed the court to sentence him accordingly.
However, Defense Counsel, B. J.O Ekowo, pleaded for leniency, assuring the Court that the suspect had become remorseful.
Delivering judgment, Justice M.L Abubakar found Onye guilty and sentenced him to five years imprisonment with an option of fine of N300, 000.
The convict, according to EFCC, was arrested by the anti-bunkering team of the Six Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt and handed over to the EFCC for investigation and prosecution.